1-2-3 Jump

In less than 48 hours, I will be on my way to Philadelphia, where all 80 Peace Corps trainees bound for South Africa for the next two years will congregate for "staging." Three days of orientation, a visit to the health clinic and introductions preceed our final departure from JFK airport for Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 26th. I am told when I call the Peace Corps Africa country desk in Washington D.C. that the oldest participant in our departing group is 68 years old. They try to dissuade me from taking my laptop computer saying many risks are associated with using, caring and safeguarding it, but probably the biggest reason not to bring it is that we will be living at the level of our poor village or urban communities, thus, owning a computer would give the wrong impression. After arrival and a week more of orientation, we will begin to live with a village family for the two months of immersion training which includes language, cultural and technical training. We will only have limited access to a telephone and no access to cell or internet servies for the training period. I must try to remember how to write a letter.

Good byes have been heart wrenching for me.....to family, friends, my kitten, my home, my life in Southern California as I have known it for 55 years of life. I am now technically homeless. My posessions for two years are crammed into a rolling duffle, a suitcase and backpack. What will this adventure hold for me? How will it transform me? Will I be able to help? I look forword to the unfolding of these answers even as my heart breaks a little to say good bye.